October 23 marked an important milestone for 142 Adult Education Program students; it was the end of a long journey. These students received their high school diplomas.
This year marked the 35th annual Adult Education Program graduation, held at North Point High School. Diplomas were presented to the following graduates: Dinora Argueta, Joyce Armah, Amro Baabbad, Dustin Bowling, Jacob Walter Dylan Braden, Craig Burton, Joshua Cahill, Andrew Carpenter, Jerrell Churn, Izarra Deemer-White, Joshila Devkota, John Ford, Destiny Annmarie Fowler, Joshuel Goodwin, Shanelle Graham, Angela Guisbert, Cierra Harley, Carlos Harper, Rosemary Harris, Keisha Holt, Terrell Jackson, Carol Johnson, Kayron Johnson, Heather Jordan, Rebecca Kane, Sonia McPhie, Vandorance Trolla McQueen, Jr., Kelly Matthews, Barbara Morgan, Shukri Nur, Christopher Parrett, Paul Porter, Domenic Proctor, Tommy Ray Raines, Jr., Lisa Richardson, Blake Roberts, Jeremiah Robinson, Marvin Ruiz Perez, Kara Sorrells, Eunice Summers, Charminika Taylor, Daneisha Thomas, Isaiah Lynn Washington, Rhonda Washington, Natishia Williams, Rebecca Williams, Sara Williams and George Zigler.
National External Diploma Program® (NEDP) graduate Joshila Devkota was the graduate speaker for the ceremony. Devkota moved from Nepal to the United States in 2003. When she arrived in America, she was unable to speak any English. In 2012, after her husband and daughter encouraged her to do so, Devkota entered into the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program at the Lifelong Learning Center. In 2014, she decided to work towards her high school diploma. While working towards her diploma, she completed the Maryland Integrated Basic Education Skills Training (MI-BEST) program. The MI-BEST program is a state funded program that brings basic and occupational skills together to accelerate coursework. Devkota plans to become a pharmacy technician and was co-taught by a pharmacy teacher from the College of Southern Maryland and an adult education teacher at the Lifelong Learning Center. At the end of her graduation speech, Devkota looked into the audience and promised her daughter that she would go on to get her college degree like others in her family. Her speech received a standing ovation.
Maryland State Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton and Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations Secretary Leonard J. Howie, III, attended the event, spoke to the graduates and assisted with the handing out of diplomas. State Delegates Peter Murphy and Sally Jameson, Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Hill, Board of Education Member Michael Lukas and Board Chairman Roberta S. Wise presented diplomas to students.
The General Educational Development (GED®) program offers adult basic education classes, English as a second language classes, GED® preparation classes and a Maryland high school diploma through GED® testing. The NEDP® is for adults 18 and older who have acquired high school level skills through life experiences. These adults can earn a Maryland high school diploma through work done at home and through evaluation appointments.
Grant funding from Maryland Literacy Works and the U.S. Department of Education supports the adult education programs. Both the GED® and National External Diploma programs are offered through Charles County Public Schools to county residents at the Lifelong Learning Center in Pomfret and various locations in Waldorf. Classes are held throughout the day and the evening. Call 301-753-1774 for more information.
Charles County Public Schools provides 26,500 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 36 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Patricia Vaira, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Pamela K. Murphy, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD. 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
